85 1 Because God withdrew not his rods from his Church after their return from Babylon, first they put him in mind of their deliverance, to the intent that he should not leave the work of his grace imperfect. 5 Next they complain of their long affliction. 8 And thirdly, they rejoice in hope of felicity promised. 9 For their deliverance was a figure of Christ’s kingdom, under the which should be perfect felicity.

To him that excelleth. A Psalm committed to the sons of Korah.

Lord, thou hast been [a]favorable unto thy land: thou hast brought again the captivity of Jacob.

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, and [b]covered all their sins. Selah.

Thou hast withdrawn all thine anger, and hast turned back from the [c]fierceness of thy wrath.

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and release thine anger toward us.

Wilt thou be angry with us [d]forever? and wilt thou prolong thy wrath from one generation to another?

Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us, that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy [e]salvation.

I will hearken what the Lord God will say: for he will speak [f]peace unto his people, and to his Saints, that they turn not again to folly.

Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.

10 Mercy and truth shall meet, righteousness and peace shall kiss one another.

11 [g]Truth shall bud out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

12 Yea, the Lord shall give good things, and our land shall give her increase.

13 [h]Righteousness shall go before him, and shall set her steps in the way.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 85:1 They confess that God’s free mercy was the cause of their deliverance, because he loved the land which he had chosen.
  2. Psalm 85:2 Thou hast buried them that they shall not come into judgment.
  3. Psalm 85:3 Not only in withdrawing thy rod, but in forgiving of sins, and in touching our hearts to confess them.
  4. Psalm 85:5 As in times past they had felt God’s mercies, so now being oppressed by the long continuance of evils, they pray unto God that according to his nature he would be merciful unto them.
  5. Psalm 85:7 He confesseth that our salvation cometh only of God’s mercy.
  6. Psalm 85:8 He will send all prosperity to his Church, when he hath sufficiently corrected them, also by his punishments the faithful shall learn to beware that they return not like offences.
  7. Psalm 85:11 Though for a time God thus exerciseth them with his rods, yet under the kingdom of Christ they should have peace and joy.
  8. Psalm 85:13 Justice shall then flourish, and have free course and passage in every place.

Psalm 85[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
    you restored the fortunes(A) of Jacob.
You forgave(B) the iniquity(C) of your people
    and covered all their sins.[b]
You set aside all your wrath(D)
    and turned from your fierce anger.(E)

Restore(F) us again, God our Savior,(G)
    and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?(H)
    Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive(I) us again,
    that your people may rejoice(J) in you?
Show us your unfailing love,(K) Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.(L)

I will listen to what God the Lord says;
    he promises peace(M) to his people, his faithful servants—
    but let them not turn to folly.(N)
Surely his salvation(O) is near those who fear him,
    that his glory(P) may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness(Q) meet together;
    righteousness(R) and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
    and righteousness(S) looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,(T)
    and our land will yield(U) its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
    and prepares the way for his steps.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 85:1 In Hebrew texts 85:1-13 is numbered 85:2-14.
  2. Psalm 85:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.